The Arcade of Arts & Arcana

Lily Wight is the pen name or “Through the Looking Glass” persona of a Writer, Events Manager and Homemaker based by The Land of Green Ginger, in the Shire of York, U.K.

Lily has a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree and a Master of Arts Degree in English Literature. She specialises in Legend and Mythology’s evolution from Ancient Tradition to contemporary Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Lily has researched and written as a Newspaper Correspondent, an Academic Essayist and a Magazine Freelancer. Now she is a Blogsprite and is working on a new and exciting creative venture.

Hi Lily. Thanks for following thefirstgates – all the more so as it led me to your blog, and a Dr. Who fan who says “Every week is Tolkien week.” Very nice, though I warn you, I think I still like the Doctor’s incarnation as Tom Baker best of all. The Daleks were classic, in a Robbie-the-Robot kind of way.

“Legend and Mythology’s evolution from Ancient Tradition to contemporary Fantasy and Science Fiction”.
I thought there was a broken link somewhere between the two (Legend&Mythology and Fantasy&Science fiction). I mean, Mythology comes from Collective Unconscious while Fantasy comes from an individual mind, conscious or unconscious and might not necessarily express the archetypes.
I would love to have a tea with you and have a lively discussion, maybe after I finish my film? virtual tea?

Perhaps it wouldn’t be as lively as you might think. My professor always told me that credible debate was impossible without first defining terms. For me “Fantasy” is a contemporary umbrella term or collective noun for non-naturalistic fiction.
What you would describe as Fantasy I would refer to as The Surreal or Uncanny.
These terms are of course not fixed and constantly evolving. I suspect our underlying interests and opinons would be pretty much the same. xx

Oh, Lily, why don’t you like a good argument? I could bring The Square of Opposition to the table and we’ll have it out? : )
(I guess you don’t know me and are not sure if to take everything I say seriously : ))
Be good!

You’re right, I should be more assertive 😉 How about I reserve the right to stuff your mouth with marshmallows if I disagree with what you say? I live in a bleedin’ fantasy most of the time anyway, hope this isn’t distracting you from your film xx

Ha ha ha! I don’t eat marshmallows! they ruin my teeth.
How about blueberries?
Nothing can distract me from my film, except, maybe a bucket of blueberries. I am willing to say all kinds of nonsense to get my mouth stuffed with them.
Lets talk soon!!

Hmmm. I dunno. You’re right that it matters which “definition” of fantasy someone is working with.

To clarify, for myself, “Fantasy” = fantastic/speculative fiction of a mythological as opposed to scientific base. While “fantasy” = an individuals thoughts/wishes of a speculative or unrealistic nature. (Capitalization for emphasis and clarity only.)

Mythology/legend, on the other hand, is a product of the “fantasy” of the collective unconscious (meh, I dislike that term, but I can never think of any way to describe it more clearly.) filtered through an individuals myth-history, and distilled into a brew particular to every individual.

Ok, it’s too early in the morning to make sense, apparently. 😉 But working with the terms/opinions above does it make sense that the statement/theory that myth and fantasy are unrelated…makes -no- sense? 🙂

*Nods sagely ;)* you’ve raised something very salient there – the huge difference between the verb “to fantasize” and the collective genre noun “Fantasy”.
I would say that Myth and Fantasy originate in the imagination (singular or collective) and are therefore inextricably linked regardless of preferred individual terminology.
If I feel like my head is going to explode I just refer back to J.R.R. Tolkien’s lecture/essay On Fairy-Stories.
I also think folks opinions on this subject will differ depending on whether they have a background in Literature or Psychology…..(there is probably a whole new thesis in this).
I trust that my university did not reward me for nonsense research….yikes, I hope not! 😉 xx

Heh. I -wish- I could say I “studied” either subject…I’m just an omnivorous knowledge-whore. *grins* Honestly, I’m almost afraid to study anything formally. I find out so much and dig so deep into subjects on my own…I think maybe I’d go insane if I tried to shove in as much as a class requires. ><

Wow, thanks Morgan. I had to do a little research into this award and I think it is such a lovely thing. Kids are frequently, and quite rightly, rewarded for their good work and effort in school, but as adults we often lack that praise and recognition although we need it just the same.
I shall put some care and effort into awarding and sharing the blogs I love.
Again, thank you. It is wonderful to be recognised by someone whose writing I really admire x

Lily – Thanks for taking an interest in Mind stuff, much appreciated – I think we’ve yet to unpack some things you might like. You have a lot of sumptuous images here. I pass this way quite often so I’ll definitely drop in again.

Thank you so much. The art work is from Patrick Valenza’s Deviant Moon Tarot (The Eight of Cups). I was desperate to use it and sent an email to Patrick – you can probably tell he said “yes”!
If you wanted you could link to more of his stuff via the Gallery tab at the top of my homepage.
Hope to hear lots more from you, drop in any time x

[…] surprise when I opened my inbox on Friday to discover the lovely Lily Wright (Check her out here: https://lilywight.com/about/) had nominated me for a Most Versatile Blogger Award! It means so much to me, Lily, especially as I […]

Hello, I just wanted to say I enjoy reading your posts :), and I hope you don’t mind but I’ve nominated you for the Lovely Blog Award. By the way, if you are unfamiliar with the awards thing here at WordPress, you can drop me a note if you like.

Ladies who like strong black coffee! We should start a society. And if that society involves reading obscene amount of books, watching Buffy, and visiting Venice, then so be it. 🙂 Just wanted to say that I’m enjoying your posts, and agree with many of your reviews… but I’ll tackle those on the appropriate pages. 🙂

Got your calling card handed to me at a memorabilia fair today by a short but perfectly formed joker who we thought was brilliant and absolutely committed to his role! Thus imagine my relief to find such a pleasant and useful website awaiting me. I have yet to get twittery but will make sure I visit your site regularly to read blows and note your recommendations. Thanks.

Hi Little Jez, glad you enjoyed your finds! Drop by and comment as often as you like – you can always send me a friend request on Facebook (if you use it) and you will receive notifications when new posts are released.
Hope you enjoyed Movie Buffs, that Mini-Joker is a star! xx

Hi Lily, thanks for visiting and liking; though of course the credit really belongs to Land of Sunshine. I have a friend I’m sure would like this blog, too; and maybe her exploits would interest you also?

I shall await the badger’s arrival with anxious anticipation, Precious.
Ticket ready for the full Imax experience. My under-petticoats may explode with delight, not before the final credits I hope.
I’ve got some Hobbity pics to post over the weekend – have a good one x

[…] Thanks to Lily Wright for nominating me for a Sunshine Blogger award! Her about page is the only “about” page that’s ever made me follow a site, and the stylistic reviews and fun-filled thought processes promised in that about page continue throughout the rest of the site. It’s a must-follow! […]

Hello Chas, I really like the look of your blog too!
I found the blogosphere rather infinite and discombobulating to begin with but you’ll soon plant your flag!
Looking forward to your posts, drop by and comment anytime xxx

I visited a fabulous automaton museum in Morristown, New Jersey – I had no idea of the many universes dwelling within each magnificent creation…
You have a wonderful blog and I thank you for sharing all this fantastic info…
AnnMarie 🙂

Thanks AnnMarie, drop by anytime. I’m fascinated by automatons and I find them a little creepy too, which adds to the appeal. Thanks for the heads up about the museum, I’ll see if I can find some pics online xx